HR Operations Manager – London (9‑month FTC)

Salary: £100,000–£110,000
Client: Confidential, Financial Services

About the Company and the Role

Our client is a leading financial services organisation undergoing a significant phase of HR transformation as it prepares to implement Workday globally. With a strong London presence and a collaborative culture, the firm is seeking an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead its HR Shared Service and HR Operations functions during this pivotal period.
This 9‑month fixed‑term contract offers the opportunity to oversee business‑as‑usual operational delivery while shaping process improvements and ensuring the organisation remains operationally robust throughout the Workday deployment. The successful hire will play a critical role in stabilising current operations, driving service excellence, and supporting the business through transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the HR Shared Service and HR Operations teams, ensuring high‑quality and timely service delivery across the employee lifecycle.
• Oversee day‑to‑day HR operations, ensuring consistent adherence to policies, SLAs, and compliance requirements.
• Partner with the Workday implementation team to support operational readiness, process design, and transition planning.
• Identify and drive improvements across HR operations, including workflows, documentation, and service processes.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a global HR operations workforce, ensuring alignment across regions.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex or high‑risk HR operational issues.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:
• A strong and demonstrated track record leading HR Operations within a complex, global organisation.
• Experience managing HR Shared Services teams and overseeing multi‑region operational delivery.
• Prior involvement in HRIS deployments – Workday experience is highly advantageous.
• A process‑driven mindset with the ability to balance transformation activity with steady‑state operational performance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence senior leaders.
• A pragmatic, resilient, and collaborative approach suited to a fast‑paced financial services environment.